Bright Saver
Designing a Policy Advocacy White Paper for Clean Energy Access
Client: Bright Saver
Services: white paper design, data visualization
Format: digital PDF with hyperlinks, 8.5x11, 25 pages
Data Visualization: 11 charts, 2 tables, 1 infographic
Bright Saver is a nonprofit working to democratize solar energy by empowering American households to generate clean energy from balconies, patios, and small spaces—places where traditional solar panels aren't feasible. They combine public education with affordable plug-in solar technology to open access for the tens of millions of people for whom traditional residential solar has been out of reach.

They needed a white paper for policy advocacy that would make a compelling case to lawmakers, funders, and community stakeholders. The document needed to present their thesis—that plug-in solar systems could revolutionize energy access—alongside data from their California pilot program, including three case studies demonstrating real-world impact.

The white paper needed to be both credible and hopeful. Policy documents in the energy sector can be dense and technical, but Bright Saver's mission is about possibility and access. The design needed to reflect optimism while organizing complex information clearly for quick-scanning decision-makers.
  • My Approach
    I approached this as a story about opening doors. The content structure provided a clear narrative arc from problem to solution to proof. My design strategy centered on making that journey feel accessible and bright rather than overwhelming.

    Working on a quick turnaround with Bright Saver's Creative Director, I focused on clarity and consistency. The client provided all content including data for charts and tables, allowing me to concentrate on transforming their research into a compelling visual document.

    The primary design direction from the client was a wide left margin for white space with content in a single column on the right. This layout choice created much-needed breathing room around dense information.

    Beyond that structural guidance, I developed a sunny visual approach based on Bright Saver's brand yellow for headers and selecting stock photography with warm, glowing light to communicate positivity and hope. Every design decision reinforced the message that clean energy access is both achievable and worth fighting for.

  • Typography & Hierarchy

    Working within Bright Saver's established brand fonts, I built a clear typographic hierarchy:

    Spectral for headers provides elegant, authoritative presence—important for policy credibility—while maintaining warmth and readability.

    DM Sans for body content offers clean, contemporary legibility optimized for screen reading and sustained attention through 25 pages of policy analysis.

    The single-column layout with generous left margin allowed for larger type sizes and increased line spacing, making the document more inviting to read than typical dense policy papers.
  • Information Design & Data Visualization
    The white paper included substantial data requiring careful visualization:
    • 2 tables organizing technical specifications and comparison data
    • 11 charts translating policy impacts and adoption projections into scannable graphics
    • 1 infographic visualizing the flow of energy with plug-in solar
    • 3 case studies with photography showing real people using plug-in solar
    Each visualization needed to stand alone for readers scanning the document while supporting the larger narrative. I used Bright Saver's brand yellow consistently across data visualizations to maintain visual cohesion and reinforce brand presence throughout the document.
  • Layout & White Space Strategy
    The wide left margin provided visual relief from dense policy content. This layout was particularly effective for case studies and charts, where the content could break into the left margin to stand out from the flow of text.
  • Photography & Visual Tone
    From the client's collection of stock images featuring plug-in solar installations, I selected photography with warm, natural light—images that felt sunny and optimistic. The photography needed to show the technology in real residential settings (balconies, patios, small spaces) while maintaining an aspirational, hopeful quality that reinforced the possibility of widespread adoption.
  • Digital Optimization
    As a digital-first document for policy advocacy, the PDF includes hyperlinked navigation allowing readers to jump between sections or quickly access cited sources in the appendix. This navigation structure respects that policymakers rarely read linearly—they scan, jump to relevant sections, and follow up on specific data points.
  • The Solution
    The final 25-page white paper presents Bright Saver's vision for democratized solar energy in a format designed for both comprehensive reading and quick reference. The document moves from high-level thesis through detailed policy analysis to concrete proof points in the case studies, with data visualizations reinforcing key arguments throughout.

    The generous white space and bright colors create a readable policy document—one that feels accessible rather than academic. The sunny visual tone reinforces Bright Saver's optimistic mission while maintaining the credibility essential for policy advocacy.
  • The Impact
    This white paper serves as Bright Saver's primary tool for policy advocacy as they work toward their goal: 1 in 6 Americans using plug-in solar by 2035. The document supports conversations with lawmakers about policy changes that could accelerate adoption, demonstrates program impact to current and potential funders, and provides a clear, compelling case for why plug-in solar represents a breakthrough in energy access.

    For me, this project was deeply satisfying—it combined my love of organizing information and working with data with the opportunity to contribute to something with genuine positive impact on people and planet.
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